Sphere Ensemble plays the Allegretto From Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. Recorded March 9, 2018, in the CPR Performance Studio.

The opening of the Fifth Symphony is more famous. The climax of Symphony No. 9 is more uplifting. But there's something about the second movement from Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 that makes it uniquely powerful.

Here's a chance to hear that gorgeous, plodding music in an unusually stripped-down setting. The Sphere Ensemble, a chamber orchestra based in Denver, recently played its version of the Allegretto in the CPR Performance Studio.

The strings-only arrangement gives a different texture to the ominous opening chord and highlights the tension that smolders right up to the final notes.

About Brad Turner

Brad Turner is digital editor at Colorado Public Radio. He manages digital content for CPR Classical and CPR's OpenAir, contributes music and arts coverage to CPR News and hosts the Centennial Sounds podcast.